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Contact Details

Biography

Dr Bernadine Brady is a Lecturer at the School of
Political Science & Sociology, NUI, Galway and a Senior Researcher with the
UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre. Bernadine is
a mixed methods researcher with a focus on social ecology and young people’s
wellbeing, exploring how community, school, family and service provision influence
outcomes for young people. She
has published over 20 peer reviewed research papers in international journals,
including Children & Youth Services
Review, Children & Society, Journal of Mixed Methods Research and Child
& Family Social Work as well as a range of reports and book chapters. Bernadine has particular expertise in
relation to youth mentoring, participation and evidence based practice in youth
work. She is co-founder of the Global
Youth Mentoring Network and co-author of A
Guide to Youth Mentoring: Providing effective social support (Jessica
Kingsley, 2012) and of Mentoring Young People in Care and Leaving Care: Theory, Policy and
Practice (Routledge, forthcoming, 2018).
Bernadine is currently Principal Investigator on an Irish Research Council
funded study ‘Empathy, caring and
connection among early adolescents’.

Bernadine lectures on the BA in Political Science &
Sociology, the MA in Family Support Studies, the Masters in Social Work and
other programmes. She holds a Bachelor
of Social Science Degree from UCD, an MA in Community Development from NUI,
Galway and a PhD from NUI Galway. Prior to joining NUI, Galway, Bernadine’s work experience included
research, evaluation, community development work and strategic planning in a
range of local development settings.

Research Interests

My research interests are related to social ecology and children’s wellbeing, exploring how community, neighbourhood, school and family influence the well-being of children and young people.In this context, I am particularly interested in the themes of participation, civic engagement, social capital and peer and adult-youth mentoring.

Peer Reviewed Journals

Year

Publication

(2017)

'Connecting research and practice: Perspectives on the role of manualised programmes in youth work'
Brady, B. Redmond, S. (2017) 'Connecting research and practice: Perspectives on the role of manualised programmes in youth work'. Child & Youth Services, [Details]

(2017)

''He told me to calm down and all that': a qualitative study of forms of social support in youth mentoring relationships'
Brady, B,Dolan, P,Canavan, J (2017) ''He told me to calm down and all that': a qualitative study of forms of social support in youth mentoring relationships'. Child & Family Social Work, 22 :266-274 [DOI] [Details]

(2017)

'Spaces of connection and belonging: Young people's perspectives on the role of youth cafes in their lives'
Brady, B., Forkan, C. Moran, L. (2017) 'Spaces of connection and belonging: Young people's perspectives on the role of youth cafes in their lives'. Child Care In Practice, [DOI] [Details]

'We are all like family here’: Qualitative insights on the role of youth cafes in supporting the health and well-being of young people'
Brady, B., Moran, L., Forkan, C. (2016) 'We are all like family here’: Qualitative insights on the role of youth cafes in supporting the health and well-being of young people'. Children's Research Digest, 3 (1):57-61 [ARAN Link] [Details]

(2014)

'What Added Value does Peer Support Bring? Insights from Principles and Teachers on the Utility and Challenges of a School Based Mentoring Programme'
Brady, B., Dolan, P. and Canavan, J. (2014) 'What Added Value does Peer Support Bring? Insights from Principles and Teachers on the Utility and Challenges of a School Based Mentoring Programme'. Pastoral Care In Education, 32 ((4)):241-250 [ARAN Link] [Details]

(2014)

'Capturing children’s voices in research in accordance with the UNCRC: A case study of parental separation and divorce'
O'Kelly, A., Brady, B (2014) 'Capturing children’s voices in research in accordance with the UNCRC: A case study of parental separation and divorce'. Children’s Research Digest, 1 (1):10-13 [Details]

'Why we still need the term ‘Young Carer’: Findings from an Exploratory Study of Young Carers in Ireland'
Fives, A., Kennan, D. Canavan, J., Brady, B. (2013) 'Why we still need the term ‘Young Carer’: Findings from an Exploratory Study of Young Carers in Ireland'. Critical Social Work, 14 (1):49-61 [DOI] [Details]

'From Tea and Sympathy to Optimal Matching of Need: Developing a Shared Vision for a Community Based Family Support Service'
Brady, B., Putti, M. (2011) 'From Tea and Sympathy to Optimal Matching of Need: Developing a Shared Vision for a Community Based Family Support Service'. Child Care in Practice, 17 (3):271-284 [Details]

(2010)

'Improving Self-efficacy?: Reflections on the Use of Life Coaching Techniques among Family Support Service Users'
Brady, B., Moran, M. (2010) 'Improving Self-efficacy?: Reflections on the Use of Life Coaching Techniques among Family Support Service Users'. Practice, 22 (5):269-280 [Details]

(2009)

'Meeting the Challenge of Doing an RCT Evaluation of Youth Mentoring in Ireland: A Journey in Mixed Methods'
Brady, B,O'Regan, C (2009) 'Meeting the Challenge of Doing an RCT Evaluation of Youth Mentoring in Ireland: A Journey in Mixed Methods'. Journal Of Mixed Methods Research, 3 :265-280 [DOI] [Details]

(2009)

'Youth Mentoring as a Tool for Community and Civic Engagement: Reflections on Findings of an Irish Research Study'
Brady, B., Dolan, P. (2009) 'Youth Mentoring as a Tool for Community and Civic Engagement: Reflections on Findings of an Irish Research Study'. Community Development, 40 (4):359-366 [ARAN Link] [Details]

'Connecting with Practice in the Changing Landscape of Family Support Training'
Dolan, P., Canavan, J., Brady, B. (2006) 'Connecting with Practice in the Changing Landscape of Family Support Training'. Child Care in Practice, 12 (1) [Details]

Book Chapters

Year

Publication

(2017)

'Youth Mentoring as a form of support for children and young people at risk: Insights from research and practice'
McGregor, C., Lynch, M., Brady, B (2017) 'Youth Mentoring as a form of support for children and young people at risk: Insights from research and practice' In: The Routledge Handbook of International Child Welfare. London: Routledge. [Details]

(2016)

'Community developers in their own right: narratives of community and belonging among young people attending youth cafes in Ireland'
Moran, L., Brady. B., Forkan, C. (2016) 'Community developers in their own right: narratives of community and belonging among young people attending youth cafes in Ireland' In: The Routledge Handbook of Community Development. London: Routledge.
[Details]

Published Reports

Year

Publication

(2017)

Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making withinin Tusla: A Baseline Assessment Prior to the Implementation of the Programme for Prevention, Partnership and Family Support.
Kennan, D., Forkan, C. and Brady, B. (2017) Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making withinin Tusla: A Baseline Assessment Prior to the Implementation of the Programme for Prevention, Partnership and Family Support. NUI Galway, UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre. [Details]

Evidence based programmes in youth justice settings: An Evaluation of ‘CHART’ and ‘A Life of Choices’.
Brady, B., Canavan, J. (2016) Evidence based programmes in youth justice settings: An Evaluation of ‘CHART’ and ‘A Life of Choices’. UNESCO Child & Family Research Centre, Galway. [Details]

(2015)

An operational profile and exploration of the perceived benefits of the youth cafe model in Ireland.
Forkan, C., Brady, B., Moran, L., Coen, L. (2015) An operational profile and exploration of the perceived benefits of the youth cafe model in Ireland. Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Dublin. [ARAN Link] [Details]

(2012)

Big Brother Big Sister Mobilising Peer Support in Schools: An Evaluation of the BBBS school mentoring programme.
Brady B., Canavan, C., Cassidy, A., Garrity, S. and O' Regan, C. (2012) Big Brother Big Sister Mobilising Peer Support in Schools: An Evaluation of the BBBS school mentoring programme. The UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, Galway. [Details]

If I can make their life a little easier, then I'm happy: Study of Young Carers in the Irish Population,. Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Dublin: The Stationary Office.
Fives, A., Kennan, D., Canavan, J., Brady, B. and Cairns, D. (2010) If I can make their life a little easier, then I'm happy: Study of Young Carers in the Irish Population,. Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Dublin: The Stationary Office. . [ARAN Link] [Details]

A Formative Evaluation of the Community Based Family Support Programme.
Brady, B., Merriman, B., Canavan, J. (2008) A Formative Evaluation of the Community Based Family Support Programme. Child and Family Research Centre, Galway. [Details]

(2006)

Facilitating Family Decision-Making: A Study of the Family Welfare Conference Service in the HSE Western Area.
Brady, B. (2006) Facilitating Family Decision-Making: A Study of the Family Welfare Conference Service in the HSE Western Area. Child and Family Research and Policy Unit, Galway. [Details]

Working for Children and Families: Exploring Good Practice.
Brady, B., Dolan, P., Canavan. J. (2004) Working for Children and Families: Exploring Good Practice. Department of Health and Children, Dublin. [ARAN Link] [Details]

Strategies to Promote the Inclusion of Refugees and Asylum Seekers. Dublin: Area Development Management.
Brady, B. (2002) Strategies to Promote the Inclusion of Refugees and Asylum Seekers. Dublin: Area Development Management. Area Development Management, Dublin. [Details]

Conference Contributions

Year

Publication

(2017)

Children in a world of opportunities: Innovations in research, policy and practice,
Brady, B. (2017) Evidence informed practice and youth work: A case study. [Oral Presentation], Children in a world of opportunities: Innovations in research, policy and practice, Montreal, Canada , 28-JUN-17 - 30-JUN-17.
[Details]

The Lundy Model of Participation: Illustrative Practice Examples,
D. Kennan, Forkan, C. and Brady. B. (2016) The purpose of this presentation was to provide illustrative practice examples of approaches adopted by Tusla professionals to comply with the different elements of Lundy’s (2007) model of participation. The focus in this document is on the different approaches adopted by Tusla (Ireland's National Child and Family Agency) as part of the process of facilitating space, voice, audience and influence. [Plenary Lecture], The Lundy Model of Participation: Illustrative Practice Examples, University of Lodz, Poland , 21-OCT-16.
[Details]

(2016)

Quality Outcomes in Youth Mentoring,
Brady, B (2016) Youth Mentoring as a Form of Support for Children and Young People at Risk: Insights from Research and Practice. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Quality Outcomes in Youth Mentoring, Galway , 13-OCT-16 - 14-OCT-16.
[Details]

(2016)

Acamh Special Interest Group in Youth Mental Health International Research Conference,
Brady, B, Forkan, C., Moran, L. (2016)  Support, belonging, connection: Young people’s views on the role of youth cafes in supporting their mental health and well-being. [Oral Presentation], Acamh Special Interest Group in Youth Mental Health International Research Conference, Kingsley Hotel, Cork , 07-OCT-16 - 07-OCT-16.
[Details]

Better Outcomes for Children: Are we there yet?,
Brady, B., Moran, L., Forkan, C. (2015) ‘It’s a safe place to come when you feel lost’: Qualitative insights on the role of youth cafes in supporting the health and well-being of young people. [Oral Presentation], Better Outcomes for Children: Are we there yet?, Dublin , 10-DEC-15 - 10-DEC-15.
[Details]

Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD) conference, Positive Youth Development in the Context of the Global Recession,
Brady, B. and Dolan, P. (2014) Youth-Adult Relationships as Assets for Positive Youth Development: Similarities and Variations in Different Countries. [Conference Paper], Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD) conference, Positive Youth Development in the Context of the Global Recession, Prague , 23-OCT-14 - 24-OCT-14.
[Details]

What’s Working for Young People International Conference,
Brady, B., Nic Gabhainn, S., Canavan, J., Gaweski, J. (2014) ‘Here you feel more comfortable to talk’: An evaluation of Foroige’s REAL U: Relationships Explored and Life Uncovered programme. [Invited Oral Presentation], What’s Working for Young People International Conference, Dublin , 11-MAR-14.
[Details]

Youth mentoring and social support: International perspectives,
Brady, B. (2014) What added value does peer support bring? Insights from research into the BBBS peer mentoring programme. [Invited Paper], Youth mentoring and social support: International perspectives, Galway , 06-NOV-14 - 06-NOV-14.
[Details]

(2014)

Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD) -Positive Youth Development in the Context of the Global Recession,
Brady, B. (2014) Youth-adult relationships as assets for positive youth development. [Invited Oral Presentation], Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD) -Positive Youth Development in the Context of the Global Recession, Prague , 23-OCT-14 - 25-JAN-15.
[Details]

(2013)

International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, International Conference,
Brady, B. (2013) Mobilising peer support among adolescents: learning from the BBBS school programme. [Oral Presentation], International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, International Conference, Dublin , 17-SEP-13 - 17-SEP-13.
[Details]

Building an inclusive Europe: The importance of children's participation, Eurochild International Conference,
Brady, B. (2013) Young people as part of the solution? The Foroige Citizenship Programme. [Chaired Session], Building an inclusive Europe: The importance of children's participation, Eurochild International Conference, Milan, Italy , 13-NOV-13 - 15-NOV-13.
[Details]

Children's well-being: The research and policy challenges, Third International Conference of the Society for Child Indicators,
Brady, B. (2011) Youth mentoring and the well-being of young people: evidence from an Irish mixed-methods evaluation. [Oral Presentation], Children's well-being: The research and policy challenges, Third International Conference of the Society for Child Indicators, York , 27-JUL-11 - 29-JUL-11.
[Details]

HSE Western Area Conference for practitioners of child and family services,
Brady, B. (2007) Family Welfare Conferencing: International and Local Experiences. [Invited Oral Presentation], HSE Western Area Conference for practitioners of child and family services, Galway , 07-NOV-07 - 07-NOV-07.
[Details]

Working for Children and Families: Exploring Good Practice,
Brady, B. (2004) Presentation at report launch by Minister for Children, Brian Lenihan. [Invited Oral Presentation], Working for Children and Families: Exploring Good Practice, Galway , 04-NOV-04 - 04-NOV-04.
[Details]

Article

Year

Publication

(2014)

Do Mentoring Pairs Meet Less Frequently as Their Match Progresses?.
Brady, B. and Dolan, P. (2014) Do Mentoring Pairs Meet Less Frequently as Their Match Progresses?. Article [Details]

Book Review

Policy Contribution

Year

Publication

(2013)

Improving the Lives of Children and Young People: Public Consultation Report.
Brady, B., Kinlen, L. (2013) Improving the Lives of Children and Young People: Public Consultation Report. Dublin: Policy Contribution [Details]

Professional Associations

Association

Function

From / To

Children's Research Network of Ireland and Northern Ireland

Member

/

International Society for Child Indicators

Member

/

Reviews

Journal

Role

Children And Youth Services Review

Reviewer

Child Care In Practice

Reviewer

Child And Family Social Work

Reviewer

Evaluation and program planning

Reviewer

Modules Taught

Term/Year

Module Title

Module Code

Subject / Desc

Methods in Sociology and Political Science

SP220

2nd year BA - Political Science & Sociology

Understanding Youth

SPL318

3rd Year BA - Political Science & Sociology

Children's Well-being: Theory, research and policy

SP708i

3rd year BA Political Science & Sociology

Methods of Social Work (community work)

SP603

Masters in Social Work

Problems in Political Science & Sociology

SP158

1st Yr BA - Political Science & Sociology

Working with specific populations

SP530

MACD and MAFS

Research Methods / Techniques of Policy Research and Analysis

SP604, SP512, GG114

MA in Community Development, Masters in Social Work, MA in Gender Globalisation and Rights

About NUI Galway

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